Prior to taking the Title IX training course, I was unaware of how serious of an issue sexual harassment was. I had never been in the position or knew of anyone else who had. I knew the importance of learning about harassment but not the extremeness.

However, after taking the course, I soon after saw the reality of often encounters such as the ones explained and illustrated. I found out a close friend of mine was almost a part of an attack.

Students and faculty members on campus are well aware of the required Title IX online training course. Title IX provides training on preventing sexual misconduct. Topics covered in the course include anti-harassment laws and policies, awareness of the types of harassment, how to report an incident personally or even as a bystander, effects of trauma, etc.

“Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funds,” according to the site Thomson Reuters.

I am a transfer student from Bakersfield College and I was never taught in depth about the issues discussed in Title IX. Now given the resources, I can one day help someone going through a bad situation or even myself if I happen to be in that position. Some may disagree.

“I don’t think it’s helpful students do not take it seriously,” Adamary Lopez, a communications major said.

“I think it is good to go through [Title IX], especially if you’re not aware of the symptoms. If you know someone is suffering from harassment you can be able to potentially help them in taking the next steps,” Daniel Martinez, Geology major states.

As most students know the importance of taking part in Title IX, if we fail to finish the course by the due date, we then have a hold that keeps us from enrolling in courses until we finish it.

“I get we should know about those things, but most people know about it already. I don’t get the point of having a hold; instead, it should be a survey we take,” Jaime Aguilar Lovera, whose major is undeclared explains.

Seconding the harsh consequences, Lopez explains that, since the online training course is for new and continuing students, “It should be incorporated in freshman seminar, so we do not have a hold for all our courses.”

Having a hold, I would also say is a bit too much. To help with this though, I would suggest students take the course sooner rather than later, even before school starts, to avoid having the hold before you get too busy with other courses.

“One time, I forgot about it so I could not sign up for classes. But I didn’t really suffer because after finishing, I still applied to the courses I needed to get into. I guess it’s one way to make sure we’re getting it done,” Martinez states.

The hold ensures that students know how serious an issue sexual misconduct is. Students and faculty need to be engaged with Title IX, and not just have the videos on mute or do other activities while the videos are playing.

“[Title IX] is important, everyone should feel safe, [instead of having] so-called ‘friends’ trying to get you drunk only to seduce you,” Lovera states.